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    Home » Side Dishes

    Acorn Squash – Crock Pot Method

    Published: Nov 19, 2020 · Modified: Nov 23, 2024 by Sula · This post may contain affiliate links · 24 Comments

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    Acorn squash is a traditional Thanksgiving side, but since your oven is pretty busy that day it’s good to have an alternate cooking method available. Making acorn squash in the crock pot is so easy I doubt I’ll use my oven again!

    Ingredients needed

    • Acorn Squash
    • Butter
    • Brown sugar
    raw acorn squash cut in half

    How to cook acorn squash in a crock pot

    The first step, of course, is to cut the squash and remove the seeds and membrane. Before you cut, decide how you want to serve the squash. If you plan to serve a bowl of whipped/pureed squash, then you only need to cut in halves. Plan for about 3 hours cooking time for this option, but once cooked it is easier to simply scoop the cooked squash out of the halves and mix before serving.

    I sometimes like to make smaller slices of the squash before cooking. These are a little more “single serving” sized, which can form a more attractive display when serving. These also have the benefit of cooking much faster, typically 1½ - 2 hours is enough, depending upon the size of your slices.

    Whichever way you slice, place them in the crock pot skin side down. Cover and cook on high 1½ - 2 hours for small slices and 3 hours for halves.

    circle of squash slices on a plate

    Flavor options

    Simple pureed squash has a distinct flavor all its own. I will always associate this flavor with Thanksgiving. I piled a ton of butter on it as a kid.

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    Most people also like brown sugar on their acorn squash, which gives it a wonderful sweet and savory taste.

    These flavors can be added before or after cooking. Or both – no judgement here!

    To add before, melt a little butter and stir in brown sugar to form a paste. Then, use a small spoon and pastry brush to cover the upper surface of the squash wedge with the brown sugar paste. This sugary paste will lightly caramelize while the squash cooks and provide an extra bit of sweetness in every bite.

    You can also add butter and brown sugar when cooking squash halves. For this option, I like to poke holes in the surface with a fork and then add butter and brown sugar to the cavity. The holes help the butter-sugar goodness to seep into the squash a little more.

    Making your acorn squash in a crockpot is an "easy button", which we all need for Thanksgiving cooking!

    crockpot acorn squash

    📖 Recipe

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    acorn squash crockpot slices arranged on a plate in a circular pattern
    5 from 77 votes
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    Acorn Squash in the Crock Pot

    An easy way to cook your acorn squash without the oven
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 77kcal
    Author: Sula

    Ingredients

    • 1½ - 2 pounds acorn squash
    • 1 Tablespoon butter
    • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar

    Instructions

    • Cut acorn squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and membrane.
    • Cut each half into wedges.
    • Place wedges skin side down in large crock pot.
    • Melt butter and add brown sugar. Stir to make a thick paste. Spread the butter-sugar paste on the upper surface of each wedge.
    • Cover crockpot and cook on high for 1½ hours. Check wedges for “doneness” by piercing with a fork. If needed, cover and cook 30 minutes more.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 393mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 474IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    More Thanksgiving recipe ideas:

    • Turkey Cheese Ball
    • Cranberry Sauce from Craisins
    • Turkey Meat & Cheese Platter
    • Brussels Sprouts and Carrots
    • Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash
    « Turkey Shaped Meat and Cheese Tray
    Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash »

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenn

      November 24, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! I'm always looking for new plant-based recipes and this one, made in teh crock pot, is so easy and soo good!

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 25, 2020 at 6:54 am

        Yes, it's always good to have an easy button, especially for any holiday meal!

        Reply
    2. Priya Lakshminarayan

      November 24, 2020 at 2:21 pm

      5 stars
      I have never cooked with acorn...thanks for this, I will try it

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 25, 2020 at 6:53 am

        It's delicious and healthy! I hope you try it soon.

        Reply
    3. Emily Liao

      November 24, 2020 at 1:39 pm

      Love how I can make this right in the crock pot! My squash came out so tender.

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 25, 2020 at 6:52 am

        Tender and moist - just how acorn squash is best!

        Reply
    4. adriana

      November 24, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      I enjoy acorn squash, and baking is my preferred cooking technique, but cooking it in the slow cooker sounds like a good option.

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 25, 2020 at 6:51 am

        It really comes in handy for those days when you need the oven for so many other things!

        Reply
    5. Mahy

      November 24, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe came to timely - just what I have been looking for! I had everything planned except for a good side. Well, I've got it all ready now! 🙂

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 25, 2020 at 6:51 am

        It will be the perfect side to your meal!

        Reply
    6. Adrianne

      November 24, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      I have never tried cooking this in my Slow Cooker before and am intrigued!! I love how healthy it is and we all need to eat more vegetables! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 25, 2020 at 6:50 am

        It's surprisingly easy to make acorn squash in a crockpot - I hope you give it a try!

        Reply
    7. Gina Abernathy

      November 21, 2020 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! My family loves squash. This recipe is a win for me because I can use the crock pot to prepare this dish.

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 21, 2020 at 6:36 pm

        It really makes it so easy!

        Reply
    8. Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/

      November 21, 2020 at 3:37 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds so easy to make, it would be a pitty not to give it a go!

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 21, 2020 at 3:46 pm

        Its about as easy as it can get!

        Reply
    9. Gabriela Herrera

      November 21, 2020 at 3:02 pm

      5 stars
      I have a baby acorn squash waiting to be made. Gonna have to make this today. Looks delicious.

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 21, 2020 at 3:13 pm

        Ah, perfect!

        Reply
    10. Alyssa Hixenbaugh

      November 21, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is perfectly simple. I love any kind of squash, especially when it’s lightly sweetened. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 21, 2020 at 3:14 pm

        I agree, I love being able to cook it so easily!

        Reply
    11. Emily Flint

      November 21, 2020 at 12:40 pm

      5 stars
      We love all squash in my house and I had no idea you could cook it in the crockpot. This was so easy and turned out perfectly! Thanks for the great recicpe.

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 21, 2020 at 3:15 pm

        You're welcome! Figuring out a crockpot method was a game changer for me!

        Reply
    12. Big Trouble

      November 19, 2020 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars
      Good universe, just reading about the squash makes my mouth water! I love the butter and brown sugar paste--very smart! And using the crock pot is genius! Plus, it smells up the whole house and is so good!!! Another great recipe, Sula!

      Reply
      • Sula

        November 20, 2020 at 6:42 am

        There's just something special about acorn squash!

        Reply
    5 from 77 votes (66 ratings without comment)

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